Marius Gaizutis of Marsh Road, Drogheda, Co Louth was charged with murdering Audrius Butkus (44) at that address on the 9th or 10th of September, 2013.

Mr Gaizutis pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter when he was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court over a week ago. This was not acceptable to the State and a jury was sworn in to try him.

The Central Criminal Court jury which was made up of four women and eight men today found Mr Gaizutis guilty of the charge by unanimous verdict after deliberating for two hours and forty minutes.

Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan thanked the twelve jury members for the important work they did and exempted them from jury service for the next twenty years.